A recent study published in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1) looked into the effect of fasting and diet on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia (FM), and produced some interesting results. The investigation was carried out at an integrative medicine hospital in Germany, comparing the effects of a mostly vegetarian modified whole grain Mediterranean diet with a supervised modified fast of eight days on a small patient group. The researchers aimed to evaluate whether the Mediterranean diet or the 8-day fasting period were associated with changes in faecal flora, and whether changes in faecal flora might be associated with clinical improvements in the two diseases.

Although fasting is normally considered to be a period of consuming only water, the patients on the 8-day "modified fast" received free amounts of tea, 200 cl of fruit juice and small standardised quantities of light vegetable soup with a total maximum energy intake of 1255 kj (300 kcal)/day. Stool samples were sent for analysis of pH, mycology, bacteria and secretory IgA (sIgA) levels on admission to hospital, on the last day in hospital and at follow up after 3 months. There were no significant differences between the two groups, and "the results of this study do not suggest any relationship between diet, faecal culture analysis, sIgA and disease activity in patients with RA and FM" [The reason given was suggested to be due to the method of analysis used (quantitative stool culture), rather than gas-liquid chromatography, which had shown differences between omnivorous and vegan diets in a previous study(2)].

The results do however suggest that "the efficacy of fasting in the treatment of FM should be addressed in randomised trials, given that the clinical course in both, patients with FM and RA, appeared to be beneficially affected by fasting". The benefit was more apparent in the patients with RA (a result consistent with previous randomised trials). The authors point to specific effects of fasting on neuroendocrine regulation, central serotonin availability and quality of sleep from previous studies, but do not mention an obvious connection with fasting: it dramatically reduces the patient's lectin intake, when compared with a high lectin (Mediterranean = whole grain) diet. Additionally the study did not mention the blood group or secretor status of the patients, which can significantly alter levels of bacterial flora and sIgA.

For further information, see the book Arthritis - Fight it with the Blood Type Diet, by Dr. Peter D'Adamo

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I would like to know an estimated time for the creation of antibodies against offending foods. I am getting ready to have a food allergy test done from Great Smokies Lab, and have been on a food rotation diet for a week. I want to give my body time to create these antibodies. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Valerie

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Ailments resulting from ingestion of food and drink have been around for a long time: The first record of food sensitivity was by Hippocrates, who observed that milk could cause gastric upset and urticaria. In 200 A.D. Galen described a case of allergy to goat's milk, and in 1679 Willis observed that the ingestion of wine could bring on asthma. In the early 1900s, Shloss described several cases that established a strong correlation between food allergy and the development of atopic dermatitis. Duke was one of the first to make extensive observations of foods causing allergic responses. He linked food ingestion to bladder pain, Meniere's syndrome, colitis, gastrointestinal upset, and diarrhoea. Walzer then described experiments showing how ingested food antigens penetrate the intestinal lining and are transported through the bloodstream to mast cells in the skin. In the 1930s Rinkel first described food sensitivities that differed from the classic immediate anaphylactic reactions. The symptoms he described occurred hours or days after ingestion and could be masked or unmasked by the offending food. Rinkel's discovery has been confirmed by recent research demonstrating that delayed-type food allergies play a primary role in the immune system's response to ingestants. Brenman admits: "Involvement of the entire immune system is evident if the more prevalent delayed-type food allergy is to be explained"(1).

Rotation diets are one method used by individuals with reactions to foods for the prevention of new allergies from developing and to give their immune system a rest and the intestines a chance to heal. This type of diet may also significantly improve gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with concomitant environmental illness(2).

The basic concept of the diversified rotation diet is to achieve the following:

• Eliminate all major allergenic substances.

• Eat the remaining foods once every 4 days.

• Allow 2 to 4 days between food families.

A Rotation diet consists of eating tolerated foods at regularly spaced intervals of 4 to 7 days. This approach is based on the principle that infrequent consumption of tolerated foods is not likely to induce new sensitivities or increase any mild sensitivities, even in highly sensitized and immune-compromised individuals. As tolerance for eliminated foods returns, they may be added back into the rotation schedule without reactivation of the symptoms. Because individuals commonly experience difficulties in adhering to the diet, advice from a naturopath should be sought by anyone attempting to follow a rotation diet to assist with what may be a confusing process, as well to ensure proper nutritional intake.

Another, simpler way of dealing with food-related allergic symptoms is to follow a diet according to your blood group and secretor status, which can often be a good starting point for getting the immune system on track. For more information refer to 'Allergies - Fight them with the Blood Type Diet' By Dr. Peter D'Adamo, ISBN 0-399-15252-0.

Types of testing

As mentioned above, there are various different types of food allergy test available, and the most clinically relevant type of test can depend on the symptoms. The two most commonly used tests are for levels of immunoglobulins IgE (immediate hypersensitivity) and IgG (delayed hypersensitivity, or intolerance). Levels of IgG immunoglobulins may change with time and food intake, but there are a large number of variables that can influence this, see below. As a consequence, an allergy test might not always be the best way to approach food-related symptoms:

Intestinal permeability may be a related factor, as with increased gut permeability, greater quantities of antigens are allowed to penetrate the gut wall, resulting in an overly sensitised, reactive immune system in some individuals. Increased permeability has been implicated in various types of allergies(3). The converse may also be true, however, as in experimental models, IgG antibodies have been shown to increase intestinal permeability(4);

Blood group and secretor status can be an important factor when looking at allergies or intolerances, as certain foods containing lectins may have different effects on the individual according to their blood group, and autoimmune disease can be an issue as Lectins stimulate class II HLA antigens on cells that do not normally display them, such as pancreatic islet and thyroid cells(5). Non-secretor status is associated with higher levels of IgE, intestinal permeability and insulin resistance, and lower Secretory IgA levels. These can all have implications for the effects of food ingestion;

Secretory IgA (sIgA) is the predominant immunoglobulin in intestinal secretions, the first-line defence against gastrointestinal pathogens including bacteria, parasites, fungi, toxins, and viruses. Normally abundant in saliva and other mucosal fluids, sIgA works by forming immune complexes with pathogenic microorganisms, allergenic food proteins, and carcinogens, preventing them from binding to the surface of absorptive cells. If sIgA response is impaired, mucosal tissue repair may be compromised, leading to reduced mucosal integrity, decreased tolerance mechanisms to foods, and reduced immunity against foreign invaders. Low sIgA levels can signal the presence of a previously unsuspected allergy or other autoimmune disorder. SIgA levels can be tested in the saliva or stool.

Appropriate bacterial colonisation is fundamental for adequate function of the intestine. The health-inducing bacteria are especially important because they suppress the growth of toxic bacteria. Reseeding the intestines is done through the use of probiotics and prebiotics, and the most appropriate varieties differ according to blood group. Probiotics are the normal bacteria found in the healthy intestines. Prebiotics are indigestible substances that help the healthy bacteria grow, such as larch arabinogalactan. Both prebiotics and probiotics also help by increasing the production of secretory IgA in the intestines, which also helps protect against bacteria and food allergens. Probiotic therapy has been shown to mitigate allergic inflammation, as demonstrated by the control of clinical symptoms and the reduction of local and systemic inflammatory markers. As such, probiotics can be used as tools to alleviate intestinal inflammation, normalize gut mucosal dysfunction, and downregulate hypersensitivity reactions, probably by increasing intestinal permeability and by improvement of the immunological barrier of the intestine(6). Intestinal bacterial colonisation can be assessed with a stool test.

The fingerprint test is a quick and easy way to check for intestinal integrity: if your fingerprint has white lines, it could be a sign of altered gut integrity. Butyrate as a supplement, or as butter ghee, may help to resolve this problem, as could taking anti-lectin supplements according to blood group(7).

Other nutrients may help decrease a local inflammatory reaction. Quercetin is a natural bioflavonoid that inhibits the release of inflammatory chemicals from sensitized mast cells, an especially useful effect for a sensitised gut. Quercetin and other bioflavonoids have been shown to decrease the release of intestinal prostaglandins and nitric oxide(8), inhibit the release of inflammatory chemicals from mast cells, scavenge free radicals, and inhibit irritability of the muscles of the intestines. It has also been shown to reduce the intestinal damage in animals caused by ingestion of food allergens(9).

Histamine levels may be important, as histamine is a prime mediator of allergy and asthma. It is generated in the central nervous system when the body is dehydrated. It is also released by mast cells located on the mucous membranes of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Histamine works with the immune system, facilitating the movement of white blood cells to sites of microbe invasion. Anecdotal evidence confirms the efficacy of pure water as a therapeutic agent in this situation. Pure water should be a key component of regimens for states of hypersensitivity such as asthma and allergy.

[For references see link below]

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